Three Pagodas Pass

The pass was the main army route between Burma and Ayutthaya; the first recorded Burmese invasion through it was in 1548, in Tabinshwehti's war in which Queen Suriyothai died. Travellers left three piles of stones as offerings for a safe crossing. Later Phra Si Suwannakhiri, governor of Sangkhla Buri, built the three chedis over the piles — most sources say in 1929, the provincial website says 1889, and Silpa-mag calls the date uncertain.

The three white stucco chedis stand in a row, each about 6 m tall on an octagonal base with a round bell, 5–6 m apart, with a Siam Thewathirat shrine nearby. The WWII Death Railway ran through the pass. The Thai-side market sells Burmese goods — woodwork, jade, cloth and orchids. No monument registration for the chedis has been found.

The border situation changes often. Foreigners cannot cross here. Thais once made day trips to Payathonzu by leaving their ID card, but the crossing has closed repeatedly — on 29 September 2022, during fighting in Payathonzu in early 2023, for two months in June–August 2024 — and on 5 February 2025 Thailand's security council cut electricity, internet and fuel to the Payathonzu side. No report confirms tourist crossings reopened in 2026.

The pagodas and the Thai-side market are open roughly 06:00–18:00 and free. Treat them as the destination and ask the district or immigration before trying to cross. Carry ID for the army checkpoints on Highway 323, don't wander off the road since parts of the border are unmarked, and don't buy wildlife products or duty-free goods over the limit. Songkran brings a water-pouring ceremony at the pagodas. For a proper meal, head back to Sangkhla town.